Liverpool played their final pre-season friendly on Saturday at Anfield. Let’s look at how that went as well as having a quick round-up of other LFC news from the weekend.
Liverpool 7 – 2 Blackpool
Jürgen Klopp’s Reds welcomed former Liverpool U23s coach Neil Critchley back to Merseyside with his League One Blackpool team.
Liverpool beat The Seasiders 7-2 despite going 2-0 down. Goals from CJ Hamilton and Jerry Yates (penalty) gave Critchley’s men a first-half lead. Joël Matip pulled one back with a great header before half-time for Liverpool. Sadio Mané then equalised early in the second half The Reds then took complete charge of the game. Bobby Firmino, Harvey Elliott, Takumi Minamino, Divock Origi and Sepp van den Berg all added to the scoresheet for Liverpool. Klopp used six substitutes on a day when The Reds were missing their first-choice back-four due to the international break.
Liverpool’s lineup vs Blackpool (4-3-3): Alisson (Adrian 62); Hoever, Matip (Jones 46), Koumetio (Phillips 46), Milner; Fabinho (van den Berg 46), Keïta, Minamino; Salah (Elliott 62), Firmino, Mané (Origi 62)
Neco Williams scores winner for Wales
Liverpool’s young right-back Neco Williams scored a late, late winner for Wales on his home debut for his country.
The hosts had dominated proceedings against Bulgaria at Cardiff City Stadium but the score was still tied at 0-0 going into injury time. Williams then popped up with a well-taken header at the far post, winning the game for his country in the 94th minute.
Williams had been introduced as a second-half substitute for Wales before breaking the deadlock to give the home side the win.
“To be honest, I can’t really sum it up at the minute,” Williams told Sky Sports post-match. “Before the goal, we must have made about 25 passes before the goal actually went in, so the build-up to it was the main thing.
“And to finish it off, and especially to get my first goal for my country, is just a proud moment for me and my family. It’ll be a day I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Williams, along with Ki-Jana Hoever, is an important part of Jürgen Klopp’s first-team squad at Liverpool, providing back-up in the right-back position for Trent Alexander-Arnold. The young Wales international is sure to gain plenty more experience for The Reds in the coming season as the compressed fixture-list calls for fresh legs on more occasions than previously necessary.
Carabao Cup draw
The draw for the third round of the Carabao Cup was made on Sunday afternoon. Liverpool will travel to face either Bradford City or Lincoln City, depending on the outcome of their second round clash later this month.
Liverpool’s fixture will most likely be on Wednesday, September 23rd as The Reds face Chelsea on the Sunday previous to the Carabao Cup fixture.
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